POST FALLS, Idaho – Whitworth will have to overcome a blistering start by Whitman if the Pirates are to come away winners of the 2023 Northwest Conference Spring Classic men's golf tournament.  The Blues overcame severe weather to shoot 298 and lead the second place Pirates by eight strokes on Saturday at The Links Golf Club.

Whitworth (306) is four strokes ahead of third place Linfield and seven ahead of Willamette.

Severe hail and rain delayed the start of the tournament by 30 minutes, then caused a 20 minute delay two hours after the start.

Whitman's Tom Hoyne shot 69 (-3) to lead the field by four strokes heading into Sunday's play.

Oliver Nordberg (74) is alone in third place for the Pirates, while Sam Pauly (74) is tied with two other players for fourth place.

The tournament, which counts as 25% of the final NWC standings, concludes on Sunday at 9:00 am.